BACK COVER STORY

THE TIMELINE

The record-breaking success of Avengers: Endgame has established Marvel at the summit of entertainment in 2019. But the history of the company goes back a long way, as this timeline shows.

1939–The company began life as Timely Comics, establishing itself in the newly popular world of comic books right from the start with the publication of Marvel Comics issue 1 in October 1939 featuring superhero character The Human Torch.

1951–As superheroes fell out of favor, it rebranded as Atlas Comics and focused more on war stories and westerns.

1961–Writer-editor Stan Lee transformed the company, now called Marvel Comics, by launching The Fantastic Four and many other superheroes who appealed to an older audience by focusing on the flaws and human qualities of the characters.

1972–Stan Lee became publisher of Marvel and the company pulled ahead of rival DC Comics in sales.

SALES

Marvel D C

1996–With comic book sales slumping, Marvel Entertainment Group filed for bankrupcty.

1997–Under new ownership the company recovered from bankruptcy and recovered market share with grittier stories like Daredevil and Black Panther.

2008–Marvel Studios launched a series of films based on its popular comic book titles starting with Iron Man, which became a smash hit.

2009–The Walt Disney Company acquired parent company Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion.

2009–present–And the rest is history. The 22 films based on Marvel properties have established the brand as the highest grossing US movie franchise ever.

Avengers: Endgame Global Box Office:

$2.7 BILLION